Timelines give children the big picture on history.
Many students who have snoozed their way through endless timelines of historical dates, names and places would not associate the word excitement with history class. However, a timeline lapbook project can bring history alive, helping students make connections between disparate events, according to Homeschool in the Woods. With file folders, a few simple materials, and some preparatory historical research, you can make a homemade scrapbook, called lapbooks by homeschoolers. The lapbook showcases learning projects such as a visual timeline that shows modern students how events in history touch their lives, shaping the world as they know it today.
Instructions
Exploding Minibook
1. Fold the corner of a piece of construction paper down and over so the vertical edges line up, then crease the paper on the fold. Cut the excess strip from the bottom to make a square out of the top section. Make at least three of these squares, depending on the desired book size.
2. Fold the square cross-wise corner to corner both ways to make an X through the center. Fold the top edge to bottom edge and left side to right side to make a cross through the X. Open out the square flat and set it with one point towards you so it looks like a diamond. Fold the cross-wise fold in the two side quadrants in and down to meet the cross-wise fold in the bottom quadrant and the top quadrant will fold down neatly on top of it to make a double layer square. Stephen O'Hanlon's origami website provides a diagram for this fold for further clarification (see Resources).
3. Unfold the squares now and place them on the table with one corner pointing back at you so that it looks like a diamond. Layer the top quadrant of the second diamond on top of the lower quadrant of the first diamond and glue. Continue layering all your squares in the same way. The finished product folds into a square book and can open vertically or horizontally.
4. Glue or draw pictures and captions of important historical dates, events and people on each section of the minibook when it is fully open. Alternatively, draw a map of the regions you are studying to show geography's influence in history. Label important places and briefly describe the events and dates that occurred there to help you visualize how events in one place influenced events in another.
5. Decorate the top square as a title page. Open a file folder and fold the edges into the center for the simplest lapbook. Spread glue on the back of the bottom quadrant of the last square of your book and press it into your lapbook. Create cover art for your lapbook.
Accordion Timeline
6. Lay several 3-by-5-inch index cards, 8.5-by-11-inch printer paper, cardstock or construction paper on your table side by side or end to end, depending on whether you want your timeline to fold horizontally or vertically. Tape together the edges that are touching.
7. Fold the pages back and forth at the tapelines in an accordion fold.
8. Label each page with important dates, events, influential people and their significant accomplishments. Create a connection between then and now, by including art and descriptions that draw parallels between history and current events. Illustrate the long-term ramifications of our ancestor's choices and actions that still affect us today.
9. Draw or glue pictures on each page that illustrate the person or event. Leave the back of the last page empty.
10. Decorate the top as a title page. Fold the edges of a file folder into the center for a lapbook base. Spread glue on the back of the last page and place it in your lapbook. Design eye-catching cover art.
Notebook Timeline
11. Layer several file folders one inside another depending on how many pages you need. Punch a few holes through all the layers along the fold. Tie the book together with yarn or ribbon.
12. Label each page with a particular year or historical period.
13. Draw or glue pictures on each page of important people and events from various countries and regions of the world that occurred simultaneously to better visualize the chain of influence between events in areas far removed from one another in time or distance.
14. Decorate the cover to complete a lapbook that is a timeline in and of itself.
Tags: each page, your lapbook, back last, back last page, bottom quadrant, construction paper, cross-wise fold
